The other day a lady came into the shelter to adopt a cat. When she was introduced to one of our favourite bonded pairs, Gryphon (age 13) and Chimera (age 11), she asked our animal care assistants, “Why do you even bother trying to rehome an old cat?”
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My team were horrified as they recounted the story to me later. After all, in cat years they are really only at middle age.
In reality though, I’m sure that some people wonder the same.
Older animals are often overlooked despite how compatible they may be for a potential adopter’s lifestyle. Of all the animals that come to the shelter for help, those that are more advanced in age usually struggle the most. Not only do they find it harder to be adopted, but they are also more aware that no matter how nice we try and make their experience – it will never be a home. It’s stressful being in a foreign environment with so many other animals.
Some people simply don't appreciate or know the perks of adopting older pets. Take Marble, for example, a beautiful 10 year old cat that came to us as a stray. She’s highly adoptable, loves people and is tolerant of other pets – still, she’s left waiting while younger cats and kittens go home around her. Her age makes her undesirable to some people no matter how beautiful and loving she is. Or Lily, a beautiful 16 year-old cat with an independent spirit.
Maybe they are afraid to fall in love? It can be heartbreaking losing a beloved pet, but would you trade that heartache for the joy they brought to your life? Or perhaps, they worry about how potentially expensive their medical costs could be?
Despite these concerns, there are numerous benefits to having an older pet. For one, what you see is usually what you get. You know their size, temperament and needs straight away. While young puppies and kittens are still developing their personalities, you’ll know right away whether a senior animal has a personality type that would suit your lifestyle.
Some people simply don't have the time for a puppy or a young kitten. The benefits of an older animal are that they are more likely to be house trained and have calmer personalities. They're often beyond the craziness of adolescence. As with all animals, there will be a transition period, but with some tips from our staff it should be much easier than with a younger pet.
And don’t worry about them being “boring.” Even the most elderly dog or cat will have their childlike moments — spurts of joy and childlike play and exuberance that will make even the most sceptical among us see beyond their grey hairs and stiff joints!
Are you willing to open your heart to an older pet? Think not of how little time they’ll have left, but of how you can make the remaining years of an animal’s life special and filled with warmth and love. Why not consider an older pet today? They could be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
- Tammy Ven Dange is the CEO of RSPCA ACT. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @tvendange.